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Easy access to agents' disciplinary records via new search service

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The Estate Agents Authority will launch an online search service next week, giving fast access to its disciplinary records so that buyers can find out if an agent has been penalised in the last two years.

'It will be easier and more convenient for the public to search for information about their agents, which will significantly reduce the time required to find such details,' said Ma Ho-fai, chairman of the authority's disciplinary committee.

At present, the watchdog's website has details of disciplinary action for the last 12 months - including the agent's name and licence number, a description of the offence and the penalty. But there is no search function - users must trawl through the database looking for an agent's name.

From next week, after checking that the person or company is still a licensed agent by entering their name or licence number, it will take just one more click to find out if any disciplinary action has been taken against the agent or company in the past two years.

'We hope this can enhance the disclosure of public information and increase our transparency,' Ma said. The search facility is part of efforts by the authority to improve its services.

It also recently increased penalties against agents for some rule breaches.

The fine for agents who fail to conduct or supply a land search result to a client was increased from HK$1,000 to HK$2,000 in October, as the authority sees it as 'a very basic responsibility of an agent', Ma said.

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